Human Induced Disasters: Prevention and Community based Mitigation

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Human Induced Disasters: Prevention and Community based Mitigation!

Disasters can take place through deliberate actions of misguided human beings. Terrorist attacks in Jammu and Kashmir are an example of ma- made disasters. Switzerland has plenty of lakes. All children acquire swimming skills in early childhood.

A society that an endure the effects of a calamity by proper disaster management is referred to as a disaster-resilient society. Such a society has both disaster prevention and disaster management plans at hand. The horrors of Atomic bombing of the cities of Hiro­shima and Nagasaki in Japan during August 1945 are still fresh in human memory.

The US bomber ENOLAGAY dropped the 8,900 pound nuclear bomb over the city of Hiroshima on August 6, 1945. About 90% of the city was levelled near instantaneously. There was complete devastation over 10 sq. km of the city in which 66,000 people were killed and another 69,000 severely injured.

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Three days later, the tragedy was repeated at Nagasaki. The nuclear bombing destroyed one-third of the city and claimed 39,000 human casualties. Another 25,000 persons were severely injured. Over the decades man has perfected many more deadly weapons of mass destructions.

Nuclear fuel is now being used in a number of reactors that produce electricity. An accidental leakage can cause grievous injuries to people who may be exposed to radiation. The worst part of dam­age by nuclear radiations is that even those who survive may develop infirmities over a period of time and these may be carried over even to generations yet to be born.

Manufacture of nuclear bombs is no longer a preroga­tive of nations that have highly developed laboratories. Nuclear technology has become more widespread. Nuclear material can be obtained by clandestine modes and even be stolen. Crude bombs can be manufactured by terrorist groups and the havoc that their use can cause to mankind can be terrific.

Preventing Manmade Disasters:

Manmade disasters are preventable. If the buildings are constructed according to the prescribed by-laws, there would be no collapses. Similarly, if fire fighting equipment’s have been installed and safety routes provided, even when fire breaks out, the damage to human beings would be minimal.

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Sticking to rules is most important for installations like nuclear power plants. International agreements already exist. What is needed is that nations stick to resolve like not making and storing weapons of mass destruction. Factories Act prescribes safety conditions. If all manu­factures adhere to those safety measures, there would be fewer industrial accidents.

Natural disasters may not be averted under all condi­tions. But the human misery that is caused can definitely be minimized. If we are prepared for a disaster, there would be minimum suffering and losses. Disasters like floods wiped off entire civilizations like the one in Indus Valley.

Disasters like floods and droughts can be partially pre­vented by taking care of the environment. Reckless cutting of trees reduces annual rainfall and leads to soil erosion and land-slides. Industrialization and Housing projects must keep in mind the ecological balance of nature.

Where a disaster like a volcanic eruption takes place, all agencies like the State and the people groups should come into action through coordinated efforts to rehabilitate the victims. Disasters like floods, droughts and volcanic erup­tions do take place although with unpredictable frequency. If we have adequate Disaster Management Plans at hand, we would be able to come into action promptly.

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Women, children and elderly persons need special at­tention while evacuation and at the time rehabilitation plans are being operated. In disaster prone areas, these groups must in particular be targeted for disaster preparedness.

Every year October 29 is celebrated as Disaster Re­duction Day. On that day we must prepare plans in the light of the experiences gained during the previous years. Community preparedness can make all the difference. Volcanic eruptions are a common feature of life in Japan. Houses are made in a manner that they do not collapse when the earth shakes. Citizens are aware of what to do when a volcanic eruption takes place.

Railway accidents are becoming more frequent. There is need for better Disaster Management plans in their case. They must conduct mock drills and check how fast they can act.

Community Contingency Plans:

We have seen that all disasters cannot be averted. However, human misery caused by disasters can be mini­mized through Community Contingency Plans. The first step in drawing up a contingency plans is identification of the potential danger. It could be flood, a volcanic eruption and spread of an epidemic or periodical food shortages.

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The next step involves assessment of the number of people likely to be affected. Thereafter comes the preventive measures like erec­tion of dams to check inflow of flood waters, immunization campaigns and planting of trees along the sea coast so that the intensity of the cyclonic waves is minimized.

Side by side there is need for creating awareness among the people as to what should be their role once the disaster strikes. They should be educated to heed to warnings and shift to safer places. Cooperation with rescue authorities is very important.

Government should keep in readiness places where camps could be set for putting up the persons evacuated from their normal residences. Proper arrangements must exist for their toilets, food cattle and medical care.

Lastly, there is need for conducting mock drills to assess the efficiency of the measures thus planned. Such drills can bring to light shortcomings that have to be set right before the actual tragedy occurs.

Protection against Nuclear Radiation:

Nuclear explosion is followed by rise of a mushroom cloud. Viewed even from a distance it can cause instant blindness. A wave of intense heat covers the site of explo­sion and a large area around it. By way of precaution, what needs to be done is to close all doors and windows. Radioactivity can cause dam­age to buildings but does not penetrate through strong solid structures.

Protection against Chemical Disasters:

Chemical disasters can be caused by leakage of poi­sonous gases from industrial plants. Gases spread easily and soon cover large areas. Breathing poisonous gases can damage the respiratory system. Chemical disasters may be caused by accidents at industrial plants may even be used by terrorist as a weapon for mass destruction.

In 1984, Forty tons of poisonous Meth Isocynate gas spread through Bhopal from the Union Carbide Plant. About 2500 people died and around 300,000 suffered injuries caused by massive poisoning.

The worst part of the tragedy was that no one was prepared for disaster of this magnitude. People ran to hospitals only to find that the doctors were unaware of the antidotes to MIC poisoning. There were no evacuation plans, no warnings were sounded, in case of a chemical leakage the first visible signs are a burning sensation in the nostrils and the eyes.

Running out to reach open areas can be yet more risky. The best thing is to stay indoors. Cover the face and breathe with a wet cloth. Most gases dissolve in water. Most poisonous gases are lighter than air. As such it is relatively safer to lie down close to the ground.

Anthrax Protection:

Anthrax is a rare bacterial disease causing character­istic skin pustules and lung diseases. Anthrax spores can survive for years. They may be picked up from infected animals. In 2001, it was feared that Anthrax was being used as a terrorist weapon. Two postal workers in Washington were suspected to have died as a result of Anthrax infection. Scientists have warned that as little as 100 gms Anthrax can cause up to 3 million casualties if released over a city.

Biological Weapons:

Biological weapons like plague or smallpox bacilli can bring to naught the progress that medical science has achieved over centuries. Biological disasters do not cause any immediately perceptible symptom like the atomic blast. The immediate precaution one needs to take is to get away from the infecting substance as early as possible. The nose and mouth should be covered by a cloth that would filter the air but still allow breathing.

Train and Road Accidents:

Not all railway crossings in India are manned. Accidents caused by running trains to passenger vehicles crossing the railway tracks are preventable. There is need for greater care and caution on the part of road traffic as well as the railway authorities. Most road accidents are caused by willful violation of traffic rules such drunken driving, over speeding and moving against light signals.

Fire Hazards:

Most big cities now have high rise buildings. A great majority of them do not meet fire fighting specifications. In case of an accidental fire, use of water has to be avoided in case the fire has been caused due to kerosene or petroleum product spill. Sand should be used to cover the flames.

Persons trapped should be taken out with the rescu­ing person covered in wet blanket. The job is best left to professional fire fighters-men from the fire Brigade. It is important to have instructions regarding how to act in case of fire displayed all over the campus.